Villagers say vehicles being parked on grass verges on the new Meadow View development are leaving the verges “unsightly” and causing an “eyesore”.

Others complain that non residents are clogging up the road.

Meadow View resident Kerry Dennis said: “The non-permitted vehicles are causing severe problems.

“Sometimes the vehicles can be very awkwardly parked and can prevent residents from entering and exiting with ease onto Wistaston Road.”

Willaston and Rope ward Cllr Brian Silvester is calling on developer Thomas Jones & Sons to resolve the parking problems before it is adopted by Cheshire East Council.

He said: “The developers need to take action to prevent vehicles cutting up the grass verges when they park on them and to stop non residents taking up the parking places of residents.

“This relatively new development of good quality private housing is being made to look unsightly due to thoughtless parking by a few.

“Parking generally in the centre of Willaston is a major problem. Wistaston Road is the main narrow road through the village, with rows of terraced houses, many of which have no off road parking.

“This was an issue raised by Willaston Parish Council and others when the planning application for the Meadow View development was submitted, but unfortunately the planning department chose to ignore the substantial objections and approve the development.

“Some of the residents have suggested some of the grass verges could be removed to provide more parking space. Also a ‘residents only parking’ scheme could be considered.”

They believe the village cannot cope with more houses which will increase traffic, loss of open space and put pressure on local services.

The plans are proposed by Wainhomes (North West) Ltd.

Willaston and Rope ward Cllr Brian Silvester has backed Willaston Parish Council’s objections to the plans.

“I fully supported the objections of the many concerned residents and the parish council to the proposed development of 21 houses on land off Cheerbrook Road in Willaston,” he said.

“The application is due to be decided at the Southern Planning meeting on May 5 and I have asked to speak against the application and in support of the local residents and the parish council.”

Objectors say the plan falls in the Green Gap and contravenes local planning policy.

They also say the local Willaston Primary School is over-subscribed so there would be no places for new children in the village.

Other concerns include fears over more flooding with local drains unable to cope with extra surface water, and increased congestion through the village and at the Cheerbrook/A51 roundabout.

James Moran’s home is one the closest to the proposed development.

He said: “Cheerbrook Road would not cope with a potentially 42 extra cars, and this part of Willaston is supposed to form part of the Green Gap. The plan has no benefit whatsoever to the community.”

Fellow villager Lyndsay Brett added: “The effect on the environment neighbouring property and the wildlife in the adjoining
green belt areas will be devastating.”

Parish councillors have also criticised what they call a “cynical and premature” removal of trees at the front of the proposed site.

They say a condition to a previous planning application for the site had set down a condition to protect the trees.

John served on several public bodies during a distinguished career, representing the Acton ward of Nantwich for 14 years.

He died aged 83 on February 23. Friends and family packed out his funeral at St Mary’s Church in Acton yesterday (March 7).

John also served his parish of Acton, Edleston and Henhull for many years.

Willaston and Rope ward Cllr Brian Silvester knew him well.

Cllr Silvester said: “John was a first class councillor who always worked really hard for the residents and the community he represented and lived in all his life.

“He represented the Acton Ward from 1995 until Local Government re-organisation in 2009, when he retired.

“During his 14 years as a borough councillor he was always re-elected with a very large majority, showing the very high esteem he was held by his constituents.

“He served for a period as the chief whip of the Conservative Group and represented the council on numerous bodies like the local sports council, the Nantwich Museum Trust and the Cheshire Association of Parish Councils.

“He also served as a school governor. John was a very long serving member of Acton Parish Council.  I pay tribute to his long record of public service. John was a lovely man who was liked by all.

“I would like to pass on my condolences and sympathy to his wife Betty, his family and many friends. He will be sadly missed.”

Stephen O’Brien, MP for Eddisbury, said: “John’s work as a councillor over 14 years was in the highest tradition of true representation and he worked tirelessly to represent his constituents.

“We worked together on a number of campaigns such as the speed restriction in Acton but above all John was a true family man and a gentleman which is how I shall remember him.

“My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Betty, and his family at this sad time.”

(pic courtesy of Stephen O’Brien MP)

They say the village has a stronger connection to Nantwich, says Willaston Parish Council.

Cheshire East Cllr Brian Silvester, representing Rope and Willaston, has supported the move to switch from Crewe LAP.

He said: “Willaston is closer to Nantwich than Crewe and feels more connected to Nantwich. Indeed it has a Nantwich postcode and is policed by the Nantwich Police Unit.

“The parish council would like to see Willaston included within the Nantwich LAP, including the Colleys Lane area to the north of the village, which for some reason tends to get linked in with Crewe by some service providers.

“A recent report by the interim Chief Executive Kim Ryley to the Cabinet reported on becoming a Strategic Council, which included reference to the need to review how the borough council works in local areas, including enhancing or replacing LAPs.

“Consideration of the footprint of area working will be part of this review and I welcome that.”

Fellow Willaston Cllr Margaret Simon, of Wistaston Ward, said: “Willaston falls into two Cheshire East wards, the Crewe Road and Colleys Lane areas are represented by Cllr Jacquie Weatherill and myself as part of Wistaston Ward.

“Our whole ward, is policed by Crewe Neighbourhood Policing Unit and we discuss our highways issues and concerns at Crewe LAP.

“It is confusing, and while Cllr Weatherill and I represent our Willaston residents at the Crewe meetings, I can understand why the parish council would like to have their parish covered by the LAP they feel they have the most affinity with.”

Cllr Rachel Bailey, leading the home-to-school transport review, attended a public meeting to listen to residents’ views on the proposed route to Malbank School.

She was invited to the meeting by Willaston and Rope councillors Margaret Simon and Brian Silvester.

Representatives from Malbank School and Willaston Parish Council were present, along with a parents’ representative.

Cllr Bailey said: “This was a positive meeting where I gained a good insight into the concerns of all parties involved.

“I would like to stress that the road safety assessments are being revaluated and any final decision won’t be implemented until September, at the start of the 2013/2014 academic year – if, of course, changes are to be made.”

A panel of three councillors, chaired by Cllr Bailey, will consider each individual route assessment before coming to a final decision.

Cllrs Simon and Silvester said in a joint statement: “This meeting shows how seriously the concerns of parents and residents are being taken.

“Matters discussed during this meeting, along with all the representations the council has received on this route, will feed into the assessment process to give the panel an accurate picture before making a decision.”

Newcastle Road falls under the new Cheshire East Council initiative to switch off or reduce street lighting to cut costs.

Nantwichnews told a week ago how Cheshire East’s plan to switch off some lights, and dim others, was aimed at cutting costs, carbon emissions, and light pollution.

Lights on a section of Newcastle Road between Cheerbrook roundabout and Elwood Way were switched off as part of the plan.

But Willaston and Rope ward Cllr Brian Silvester claims more columns on the other section of Newcastle Road were off which were not highlighted on the original plan.

He is now calling for a proper consultation.

He said: “It is simply unacceptable to switch off street lights on a major route into the village without any consultation whatsoever with residents of Willaston and the parish council.

“Before some street lights were switched off in Wilmslow, proper consultation took place. But Willaston residents are not given the same consideration and are being treated as second class citizens.

“Blacked out streets are less safe and more vulnerable to crime and residents have a right to express views about this before a decision is implemented.”

Cllr Rod Menlove, Cabinet member in charge of the environment, said the scheme could save the authority £1.6million a year.

“Only 950 lights out of 38,000 – just three per cent – are being considered for switch off,” he said.

“Another 17,700 will be considered for part-night lighting – switched off between midnight and 5.30am only. There will be other money-saving and energy-saving initiatives, such as dimming lights and using low-energy bulbs.

“The A51, including the Newcastle Road area, is included in the switch-off programme and town and parish councils across Cheshire East have been informed of the new approach to street lighting changes.

“We have also undertaken a road safety review in advance of each switch-off and the Police and Fire Service were consulted.

“We are still in the process of assessing some minor routes and residential areas. Before any changes are implemented there will be discussions with ward members and their relevant town and parish councils, as was the case in Wilmslow.

“Street lights in town centres and high crime areas will not be switched off – they will simply be replaced with lower energy bulbs to save costs.”

Lights on Colleys Lane, Willaston, were also out recently, but Cheshire East said this was a technical fault and the road is not part of the light reduction scheme.

Cheshire East Council has identified a “walking route” which they say could mean the withdrawal of free transport.

It runs from Willaston, down Cheerbrook Road, across the A51 (pictured), down London Road and into the town centre and out along Welsh Row.

However one local councillor says many parents are unhappy as the route made available by a toucan crossing at Cheerbrook Roundabout still poses too many hazards for children.

These include lack of street lighting, indirect route, negotiating a half barrier level crossing, and along London Road which carries a lot of HGVs

Willaston and Rope Cllr Brian Silvester has backed the parents’ complaints.

“I have written to the council to ask them to review their decision that withdraws the free bus service from Willaston to the Malbank School,” he said.

In a letter, Cheshire East Transport Policy Officer Janet Mills said: “The approval of a new Cheshire East policy now triggers a process of reassessment of all currently assessed walking routes to school, which could have potential impacts on entitlement to school transport.

“The crossing of the A51 at the Cheerbrook Roundabout was originally assessed as “unavailable to walk” but because of the recent installation of a toucan crossing this has made the route potentially ‘available to walk’.”

Current guidelines say pupils who attend a school less than three miles from home, and who have access to a viable walking route, are not entitled to free transport.

More than 100 pupils attending Malbank High School are entitled to free transport which costs of £75,000 a year.

Cllr Brian Silvester was fined £45,000 after what fire chiefs said was one of the most serious breaches they’d dealt with.

Cheshire East Council bosses said today because the sentence was not custodial exceeding three months, he will not be disqualified.

Cllr Silvester, 60, said he and his brother Colin, 58, were “unaware” of a need for a fire risk assessment at their Shavington farmhouse bedsits (pictured).

They were fined yesterday at Chester Crown Court after pleading guilty to 11 breaches of fire safety regulations and for failing to obtain a multiple-occupancy licence.

In a statement, he claimed they took “immediate action” to obtain a licence when they realised their mistake.

“We were also unaware there was a need to have a fire risk assessment,” he said.

“This was done immediately once it was brought to our attention. We have co-operated fully with the fire service and the council to introduce enhanced safety measures and other improvements.

“We sincerely regret what has happened.”

A spokesman for Cheshire Fire and Rescue said: “We are pleased with the result. This was one of the most serious breaches of fire safety regulations in living accommodation we have ever dealt with.

“Our aim is always to work closely with landlords, giving them all the support and guidance they need to ensure the safety of their tenants.

“However, failure to comply with the law can, as this case has shown, result in a prosecution.

“I would urge all landlords to take their fire safety responsibilities seriously to avoid possible court action.

“We are committed to a Cheshire without any fire deaths and so we will pursue any company or individuals who put the lives of others at risk.”

Kim Ryley, Cheshire East Council’s interim chief executive, said: “Landlords are required to register houses of multiple occupation to ensure instances like this do not occur.

“Had the property been registered with the council, the necessary health and safety checks would have been carried out and these serious breaches could have been prevented. This is an important example of how the council protects our residents.

“Councillor Brian Silvester will not be disqualified as an elected member as, in accordance with section 80 (d) of the Local Government Act 1972, he has not been given a custodial sentence (suspended or not) exceeding three months.”

These pictures (below) illustrate some of the serious fire breaches, including broken smoke alarm, fire hazard, exposed wires, an unchecked extinguisher, a water-filled cellar, and a rope used as a fire escape.

(pics courtesy of Cheshire Fire and Rescue)

Cllr Brian Silvester, who represents Willaston and Rope at Cheshire East, was fined at Chester Crown Court.

He failed to obtain the necessary licence for a house in multiple occupation and 11 fire safety offences.

He had admitted the charges at an earlier hearing, and fire service bosses said the breaches “could ultimately have led to serious injury or potential death”.

Cllr Silvester, 60, was charged with his brother Colin, 58. He was fined £37,500 for the same offences.

The charges relate to Shavington House Farm, on Crewe Road, Shavington.

The brothers were each ordered to pay costs of £22,000.

A former tenant had raised concerns about safety breaches at the property.

He said he had to leave a lump hammer on a window sill in his room, and tie a long scaffold rope from a beam to throw out of the window to slide down.

The popular Nantwich village now has a green named after former parish councillor Mike Heywood, affectionately known as “Mr Willaston”.

Mike’s family, including wife Judy and grandchildren Georgia and Beth, also attended as the green’s new mosaic sign designed by local artist Nancy Torr was unveiled.

Residents and representatives of many Willaston organisations and groups were persent, as well as Katharina Manier, a member of the Council of Bischofsheim, Willaston’s twin town in Germany.

Speeches were made by the Reverend Ken Sambrook, Ian Potts from Willaston Scouts and Willaston Ward Councillor Brian Silvester.

Cllr Silvester said: “Mike was a wonderful, lovely man. He was gentle, quietly spoken, kind, patient and caring.

“He worked tirelessly for the residents of Willaston, for the Parish Council, for the Scouts, for Willaston in Bloom and a variety of other groups and other organisations.

“Whatever event you went to in the village he was almost always there, showing support, commitment and giving a word of praise.

“Mike was elected to the Parish Council in 1996 and became Chairman in 1999. It was at this time I was elected as the Willaston Borough Councillor and when I got to know Mike.

“As soon as you met Mike it was like you had known him all your life. He was always so friendly, welcoming and helpful.”

Among many achievements, Mike worked to improve the village playing fields and helped secure £50,000 of grants to refurbish the children’s recreation area.

He also helped to introduce a community speedwatch scheme in the village, and helped Willaston win a number of Britain on Bloom Awards.

Willaston village green is to be called Mike Heywood Green in tribute to the former parish council chairman (pictured).

The plot of land on the corner of Moorfields and Wistaston Road will be named in a ceremony on Sunday September 30, at 2.30pm.

Mike, fondly known as “Mr Willaston”,  passed away in January 2011. He had been chairman of Willaston Parish Council for 12 years and also a scout leader.

A mosaic plaque, created by local artist Nancy Torr, will be unveiled by Mike`s widow, Judy.

Willaston and Rope Cllr Brian Silvester helped to fund the £1,200 mosaic with a fund-raising event in honour of his own 35 years’ service as a councillor.

Other funds were contributed by Willaston Scouts and the parish council.

Willaston Green Gap Action Team has launched the e-petition on the Government’s website.

They are fighting to prevent further development on ‘Green Gap’ land between Willaston, Wistaston, Shavington and Haslington.

These are areas originally identified in 1993 by the former Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council that should have restrictions on development.

The petition has been  backed by local Willaston and Rope Councillor Brian Silvester.

He said: “It is essential the green gaps between the villages and Crewe and Nantwich are maintained.

“The Willaston Green Gap Action Team has done excellent work to emphasise the importance and popularity of the green gap policy.

“The new Local Plan is being prepared and the e-petition will maintain the pressure on planners and councillors to retain the green gaps in their entirety.

“We do not want to see the urban sprawl that destroys communities and that has disfigured so many other parts of the country.”

Anna Cutts, of Willaston Green Gap Action Team, said the petition would emphasise the “virtually unanimous wishes of local inhabitants” who responded to the consultation process.

“Support this petition and make localism a reality and not merely an empty slogan,” she added.

The e-petition can be viewed at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/34763